"The Connecticut State Police confirmed at 1 a.m. today that our beloved Lauren was among the victims of the Newtown shooting.

"Lauren wanted to be a teacher from before she even went to kindergarten. We will miss her terribly and will take comfort knowing that she had achieved that dream.

"Lauren Gabrielle Rousseau was born June 8, 1982, in Danbury, where she lived for most of her life. She was a graduate of Danbury High School. She had a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport.

"She had worked as a substitute teacher in Danbury, New Milford and Newtown before she was hired in November as a permanent substitute teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown."